Individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for treating depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) versus a waiting-list control for reducing depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Results Summary
Both MBCT and CBT significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to the waiting-list control, with clinically relevant improvements (26% and 29% vs. 4%). The interventions also improved anxiety, well-being, and diabetes-related distress but had no significant effect on HbA1c levels.
Population
Adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms (BDI-II ≥14).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
3 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | depressive symptoms | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | d = 0.80; clinically relevant improvement 26% | significantly greater reductions | #1 |
individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) | decrease | depressive symptoms | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | d = 1.00; clinically relevant improvement 29% | significantly greater reductions | #2 |
waiting-list control condition | decrease | depressive symptoms | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | clinically relevant improvement 4% | reduction | #3 |
individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | anxiety | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #4 |
individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) | decrease | anxiety | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #5 |
individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | increase | well-being | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #6 |
individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) | increase | well-being | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #7 |
individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | decrease | diabetes-related distress | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #8 |
individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) | decrease | diabetes-related distress | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | significant positive effects | #9 |
individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | no change | HbA1c values | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | no significant effect | #10 |
individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) | no change | HbA1c values | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms | - | no significant effect | #11 |
OBJECTIVE: Depression is a common comorbidity of diabetes, undesirably affecting patients' physical and mental functioning. Psychological interventions are effective treatments for depression in the general population as well as in patients with a chronic disease. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in comparison with a waiting-list control condition for treating depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 94 outpatients with diabetes and comorbid depressive symptoms (i.e., Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II] ≥14) were randomized to MBCT (n = 31), CBT (n = 32), or waiting list (n = 31). All participants completed written questionnaires and interviews at pre- and postmeasurement (3 months later). Primary outcome measure was severity of depressive symptoms (BDI-II and Toronto Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), well-being (Well-Being Index), diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas In Diabetes), and HbA1c levels were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Results showed that participants receiving MBCT and CBT reported significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with patients in the waiting-list control condition (respectively, P = 0.004 and P < 0.001; d = 0.80 and 1.00; clinically relevant improvement 26% and 29% vs. 4%). Both interventions also had significant positive effects on anxiety, well-being, and diabetes-related distress. No significant effect was found on HbA1c values. CONCLUSIONS: Both individual MBCT and CBT are effective in improving a range of psychological symptoms in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.